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Patrick Chitumba Victoria Falls Reporter
CHIEF Mvuthu of Monde area, Hwange West District, has died.
He was 61.
Hwange District Administrator Tapera Mugoriya said Chief Mvuthu, born Nyangayezizwe Mlotshwa, died at Hwange Colliery Hospital on Monday night.
“Chief Mvuthu had not been feeling well for some time and he passed on this Monday around 10:45PM at Hwange Colliery Hospital,” he said.

Mugoriya said funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.
Chief Mvuthu was born on October 10, 1953.

He worked at Hwange Colliery Company until his ascendance to the position of chief on June 7, 2008, taking over from his late father, Abednico Mlotshwa.
Chief Mvuthu was officially installed in the same year on September 27.

At the time of his death, he was the chairperson of the Hwange Community Share Ownership Scheme.
Chief Shana of Jambezi described the death of Chief Mvuthu as a sad loss not only to his family but to Hwange District as a whole. He said Chief Mvuthu had distinguished himself as a leader on issues to do with wildlife conservation and tourism.

“We worked together for the development of our area. He was a champion on environmental issues and we all supported his works,” said Chief Shana.
Clement Mukwasi of Shearwater Adventures said Chief Mvuthu worked well with tour and adventure operators. “We are saddened by the death of the traditional leader and are grieving with the community. He was a free leader who would interact with industry players without any form of discrimination.  We relied on him on any matters to do with our tradition. He will be sorely missed in the industry as a whole,” he said.

Chief Mvuthu is survived by his wife Epiphaniah and three children.
Mourners are gathered at his homestead in Monde area.